Timber Frame

Tiny Timber Frame House in Massachusetts

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Ian Anderson one of my readers contacted me about his tiny house project. Ian wanted to wait until a time when there would be more frequent updates before he had me put it up on the blog. Ian has been so close to this project for so long that it is hard for him to tell what people want to see.

I think that you will agree with me that you will want to follow along as he gets busy this spring so I think now is a good time to share Ian’s build with you. I’ll let Ian tell you more about his project.

Several years ago, a friend of mine showed me the Tumbleweed House site. I loved the idea of living a more sustainable, compact and cheap lifestyle by living in a small house. I immediately started sketching out floor plans for the way I would build a house. At first these plans were just a creative escape for me while I was trying to focus on my engineering classes. I returned to it again and again throughout the next two years of school. It seemed like a great way to apply my love of design and building to something practical that would benefit me and others for a long time.

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16×20 Vermont Cottage

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Kim one of our readers gave me a heads up on the Vermont Cottage from  Jamaica Cottages. It is one of my favorite designs of their products. This is a 16′ x 20′ cottage including the front porch and has many possibilities. From a cabin getaway, guest house, artist studio, … Read more

Pennypincher Barns Update

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Last year I introduced you to the Pennypincher Barn Company that was just moving into the production of tiny cabins and buildings. Anne recently contacted me to let me know about their newly redesigned website and to let me know about a new product they are offering. She also mentioned that the company has experienced huge growth of interest and buyers in the tiny house construction over the last year.

Pennypincher is introducing their own pre-cut timber frame buildings. One is featured in this post and the details follow below.

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Nearly complete! Our buildings are designed to accept most types of siding and the cedar lap siding came from a local mill. Pennypincher’s rustic wood windows fit neatly in the dormers. Glass door blanks are installed both fixed and operable to create a wall of windows.

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EcoNests

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I first saw an EcoNest about 9 years ago and had forgotten about them until now. Even after studying many different types of natural building, Econests will continue to be one of my favorites because of their beautiful resemblance to the curves and colors of nature. They might even be the closest way to be outdoors without stepping out the door.

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EcoNests are simple, elegant, and healthful handcrafted dwellings that welcome owner participation in their construction.

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Cabin Creek Timber Frames

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At first glance you would not think of Cabin Creek Timber Frame company as a tiny house builder. If you view their site you will see huge timber frame homes. But don’t let this first impression fool you. I discovered that Cabin Creek Timber Frames takes their left over wood and builds tiny structures. Recently I communicated with Norma Jo Bell who gave me some information I wanted to share with you about this alternate building style for tiny houses.

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I personally think the 12 x 16 with the half loft would make a great tiny home….at a great price. One could enclose it with (SIPS) structurally insulated panels and have an extremely energy efficient unit. Depending on how it was finished out it could even qualify for the ‘new home’ tax credit. The 12ft x 12 ft compound joinery frame in the video is not on attached price list yet but it will sell for $6,000.

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Fire Lookout Towers

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For those who really want a taste of solitary living, have you ever dreamed of getting away from it all in a fire lookout tower? In nearly every state of the U.S., fire lookout towers have been built in wilderness areas to watch for forest and wildland fires. The first fire lookout … Read more

Canadian Bunkies

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Join me in a round of applause to our Canadian neighbors and their love of the outdoors! Canadian “bunkies”, or small bunkhouses, are another tiny house design that can be built from a plan or from a kit. I ran across these companies that manufacture log, timber frame and cedar … Read more

Timberlast S.M.A.R.T. Kits

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David Fernandez of Timberlast is introducing the new S.M.A.R.T. Kits. The S.M.A.R.T kit concept is to provide a small affordable,impressively strong,super insulated and attractive home kit shell that you the owner complete. S.M.A.R.T kits allow for a great deal of flexibility and savings by allowing you to control the pace … Read more

Brigadoon – Bungalow in a Box – Update

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Recently I have been in touch with Raoul Hennin of Bungalow in a Box and requested an update on his work. (read our previous post here). Raoul has been working on updating his site with some recent projects and also has added a couple of cool videos as well. You … Read more

Gypsy Rose

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Because of their size and aesthetics, tiny houses lend themselves to being named: weeHouse, Tumbleweed, Box Turtle. Rarely do you see a 3,500 square foot house with a name. Kevin Rose named his mobile house Gypsy Rose, after his last name and the fact that his lifestyle in this tiny … Read more

Timberlast – New Kits

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David Fernandez of Timberlast who builds timberframes on the east coast wants to let you know that he is now offering new kits. David says our Timberframe kits come complete for a weather tight shell that’s easy to build and ready for you to do as little or as much … Read more

Milton Studio

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Thanks again to Alex of Shedworking fame for finding this beautiful studio designed by Cameron Scott of Timber Design. It is 5m x 3.5m (15 x 10 ft) and designed as a contemporary timber architecture studio. Personally, I think it would make a nice tiny space for someone who wanted … Read more